Lima local, Andrea Tode, shares her experiences of the best things to do when you’re waiting for a flight in the city.

Excluding the three years I spent in the Argentinian countryside, I was mainly raised in Lima by limeño parents. I can recognise that, in plain view, the capital is not as attractive as Peru’s luscious jungles or warm beaches. Thus, I have had many foreign friends over the years text when they have to stop in the province for a layover flight before heading to Cusco or the Amazon.

The following is a comprehensive list of my best answers to a question I hear all too often: I have a day to kill before my flight; what should I do around here?

Parasailing Along La Costa Verde

This might be the highlight of the trip for all adrenaline junkees. Gliding across the coast of Lima is an unforgettable experience and a great way to get some of the best sights in the province in 12-15 minutes. The parasailers and hang gliders in Lima are the best in the country, and you will not find a safer deal.

These experts can take you flying over several districts, such as Magdalena, San Isidro, Miraflores, and San Miguel. The highlight for most is, understandably, the Costa Verde cliffs and beaches. P.S. If you pay attention to the base of the cliffs as you glide, you might even see a replica of the Nazca Lines painted into the grass.

Having Coffee in Barranco

Initially a fishing district, Barranco is one of Lima’s most well-known neighbourhoods when it comes to alternative, Bohemian and contemporary art and culture. The district, decorated with beautiful and intricate murals, is home to multiple art museums, such as the Mario Testino Museum.

It is also home to Alanya Repostería, which was named the best café in Lima in 2022. Why not give it a try to start off the day? I can definitely also recommend La Bodega Verde’s sweet treats and brew.

Dancing with Cats at Kennedy Park

If you are a music and/or cat lover, el Parque Kennedy is the destination for you. On Saturdays and Sundays, locals gather in the park to dance and play live music from 4pm to 9pm. You can join— everyone is welcome!—, or enjoy from the side-lines while munching on one of the several street snack options.

Kennedy Park is also famous for housing around 200 cats on its 5.5 acres. These are likely strays, but they are also oftentimes abandoned pets. Due to their constant proximity to people, the cats at Kennedy Park tend to be friendly or, at most, not violent. They are already fed twice a day by volunteers, but if you sneak them a little treat, nobody will tell. Surrounded by shops, cafés, and the Virgen Milagrosa Church, visiting Kennedy Park is the perfect afternoon activity.

Sandboarding in the Mountains

Since Lima is a desert on the coast, we don’t have to choose between beaches and arid. Mountains. Though surfing is an obvious option, sandboarding also offers an ideal balance for individuals seeking excitement while also having a reasonable fear of heights.

There are multiple tours and experiences to choose from— some will include motorcycle rides!—, depending on your location. In any case, you will be provided with a helmet, boots and the necessary bindings, and your instructor will explain everything. Take it from someone who does not have the balance necessary to surf— this is an unforgettable, heart-racing experience, and truly one of the most fun activities in the
capital.

Window Shopping at the Inca Market

Did you promise your loved ones a souvenir? A quick trip to the Inca Market is the answer. This year-long gathering of artists and artisans has everything, from handmade children’s toys to delicate jewellery.

Some of my personal favourite buys from the Inca market are the following: the warmest poncho for UK weather,  Peru-themed decorations for my family’s Christmas tree, a wooden chess board with handmade pawns reflecting different Peruvian regions, and a nativity modelled after the Amazon Jungle.

Walking Through the Huaca Pucllana

There cannot be a list of iconic places in Lima without mentioning Huaca Pucllana (‘Huaca’ being the Quechua word for ‘pyramid’ or ‘temple’ in). This is the most well-know archeological site in the province, and believed to have been built in 500 AD by the Lima people, who lived between 200 AD to 700 AD. Some of its remaining have been linked to the Wari Culture, though, who lived from 500 AD to 1000 AD.

The enormous clay pyramid was originally built for clergymen to carry out administrative and ceremonial processes. It is believed it might have been built for Pachamama, Mother Earth. The huaca is surrounded by a plaza and a number of tombs, courtyards and patios. The entrance fee for adults is 15 soles, and for teachers and children under 12 it is 7.5 soles.

Exploring Museo Larco

Founded in 1926, the Larco Museum has the world’s largest collection of archaeological artefacts from Ancient Peru. The museum holds approximately 45,000 original pieces from all regions, and their history spans 5,000 years of of pre-Columbian Peruvian history.

The museum is surrounded by a lavish garden and a few restaurants, so walk around its
hallways and work up an appetite!

Visiting the Lima Plaza and the Government Palace

This might be the most historically relevant item on the list!

The capital’s plaza, also known as the ‘Plaza of Arms’, dates back to the founding of the city by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. It is known for its beauty and iconic Colonial architecture, which can be sin in the buildings surrounding it.

Among them is Limas Cathedral and the residence of the Archbishop of Lima. The Government Palace is the centre piece of the plaza, with its carefully manicured garden giving it a lively air despite the near-permanent grey skies.

Watching the Sunset From Larco Mar

Growing up, Larco Mar was the coolest hang-out spot. It is a sea-front mall on the Costa Verde cliffs, and it has everything a mall should have: an indoor and an outdoor arcade, stores and boutiques, bowling, a cinema, chain restaurants and traditional Peruvian eateries, and even a theatre.

My friends and I watched a tear-jerking stage adaption of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in Larco Mar’s theatre, once. If you speak Spanish or simply want the experience of watching contemporary theatre in Peru, this might be the alternative for you.

Larco Mar also has some of the best restaurants in the capital. I cannot recommend Mangos enough! Plus, with its sea-front view, it makes for the perfect romantic/nostalgic getaway, as you will struggle to find a better view of the sunset.

Experiencing the Sacred City of Caral-Supe

The Sacred City of Caral-Supe is an archaeological site estimated to be 5,000 years old. It is evidence of Caral, the oldest civilisation in America. The site contains 32 buildings, including temples, workshops and residential homes.

This site was placed in the World Heritage List by Unesco in 2009. There are often festivals, workshops, presentations and ours happening, and you are free to join any!  Tourists can explore from 9am to 4pm. Entry is 11 soles, but Peruvian nationals can enter for free every first Sunday of the month.

It would take the most efficient of travellers, plus a bit of super speed, to do all of this in a day. However, having things left on your checklist just means you must come back someday!

What was your favourite part of visiting Lima?